6 Youthful Makeup Looks For Older Women That Will Totally Be On Trend In 2026

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Anyone who's old enough to recall print magazines likely understands that just because a certain cosmetic aesthetic is popular, it doesn't necessarily mean it works for everyone. That's particularly true as we get up in our years; certain beauty looks can age us because they're just not suited to more mature skin (which can wrinkle, lose elasticity, and become drier as we age).

In some cases, though, the latest trends just need a little tweaking to ensure they're flattering for older women. "The secret is to soften the techniques, use
a minimum amount of product and blend, so that any result is more natural and complimentary for mature skin," Luna Viola, fashion and red carpet hair and makeup artist, exclusively tells Women.com. Fortunately though, alongside the many trendy youthful haircuts for older women to try in 2026, there are a range of fresh makeup looks that work just as well on mature skin.

The youthful way to wear a smoky eye in 2026 is to keep it cool and matte. "This trend is great for older women as the cool tones are subtle shades and completely matte. Bright shades and shimmer can highlight fine lines and accentuate skin imperfections," Luna Viola exclusively explains. L.A. COLORS' 5 Color Matte Eyeshadows in Black Lace offers a range of matte shades that can be applied with a light hand for a more complimentary look, as does the KYDA 10 Colors Smokey Grey Eyeshadow Palette.

Latte toned makeup will be hot for 2026 too, bringing light browns to the face via everything from eyeshadows to bronzers in a way that's flattering without looking overdone (which can easily make you look older). Subtle browns bring a youthful energy because they can add warmth to the complexion in a classy, sophisticated way, without giving the illusion of chasing youth via bright, bold colors. Try ColourPop's Deja Brew Eyeshadow for a cool-toned collection of browns or Laura Geller's The Delectables Madison Ave Mattes for flattering matte shades.

Frosty makeup shades (white, light pinks, and cool blues) are one of the hottest winter 2025/2026 beauty trends. "[They provide a] highlight effect to enhance facial features," Luna Viola exclusively tells us. "It can be adapted to older women by applying the highlight on the inner eyes and brow bones, resulting in a more natural version of this trend," she adds. Another easy, subtle way to get in on the trend is via lip products, like e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Opal-ogy Tour or Almay Goddess Gloss in 200 Angelic.

Blush draping is essentially a softer take on contouring, as it involves strategic blush placement to lift and sculpt the cheeks. The major 2026 trend is perfect for older women because it's customizable and can be done with a light hand to create a flattering, youthful glow. Equally, draped blush first rose to prominence as a popular beauty trend in the '70s, so who better to show the world how it's done than those who were there the first time around?

The '90s lip look resurgence isn't quite over yet, as dark lipliners will be everywhere in 2026. Luna Viola recommends taking extra care to ensure it's fully blended to look its most flattering. "Use a lip pencil that is a little darker than usual and slightly blended into the lipstick to soften the look," she tells us, exclusively. Laura Geller's Modern Classic Lip Liner in Beautiful Berry has a flat edge for a softer finish, while Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner in Plum from e.l.f. is easily blended.

Long lashes are back in a big way in 2026, a nice switch-up from the no-mascara looks that became popular last year. One of the easiest ways to get in on the fun is to embrace colored mascaras, like Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Burgundy Haze or L'Oreal Paris' Telescopic Lift Mascara in Stellar Blue. This youthful, maximalist look will prove you still have your finger on the pulse of the trends and can be surprisingly flattering if you choose your mascara shade based on your eye color to make your peepers pop.